Head to head
Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24" Two-Stage vs Ariens Compact 24
vs
Quick take: The Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24" Two-Stage costs $200 less.
| Spec | Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24" Two-Stage | Ariens Compact 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,099 | ~$1,299 |
| Rating | — | 4.5★ (88) |
| Type | Two-Stage Gas | Two-Stage Gas |
| Power | 208cc Briggs & Stratton | 223cc Ariens AX |
| Clearing Width | 24" | 24" |
| Intake Height | 21" | 20" |
| Throw Distance | up to 40 ft | up to 40 ft |
| Weight | 163 lb | 187 lb |
| Starting | 120V electric + recoil | 120V electric + recoil |
| Heated Grips | No | No |
| Drive & Handling | Six forward and two reverse speeds, self-propelled, with a steel auger and a SuperBrite LED on the dash. | 6 forward/2 reverse Disc-O-Matic friction-disc drive with Ariens' triggerless Auto-Turn steering — you just lean into a turn and it pivots. Remote 2.5x quick-turn chute crank on the dash; deflector is a manual lever. Light enough at 187 lb to muscle around a garage. |
| Warranty | 2-year residential | 3-year residential |
Pros & cons
Yard Force YF24-DS21-GSB2 24" Two-Stage
- ✓A Briggs & Stratton engine in a tier where unbranded clones are the norm
- ✓163 lb is genuinely light for a 24-inch two-stage
- ✓21-inch intake matches machines costing several hundred more
- ✓6 forward and 2 reverse speeds
- ✗No heated grips
- ✗Two-year warranty, and Yard Force has a thin service presence in the US
- ✗Light weight cuts both ways — less planted than a heavier machine in wet snow
- ✗Very little owner history to go on; the brand is a recent US arrival
Ariens Compact 24
- ✓All-steel construction and cast-iron gear case at an entry price — the same bones as Ariens' $2,000 machines
- ✓Auto-Turn steering makes 180s at the end of a pass effortless despite no trigger releases
- ✓187 lb is light for a two-stage — easy to maneuver and load on a truck ramp
- ✓120V push-button electric start with recoil backup starts reliably in subzero cold
- ✓Remote 2.5x quick-turn chute rotation from the operator position
- ✗223cc engine bogs in deep wet snow — owners report needing the lowest gear in heavy slop
- ✗20-inch intake is shorter than the Deluxe line's 21 inches, so big EOD berms crest the bucket
- ✗No heated grips and halogen-class headlight in an era of LED rivals
- ✗Smaller 11-inch auger and 12-inch impeller limit throw to ~40 ft vs 50+ on the Deluxe